e audience increased.

It appeared that my cousin, in order to explain his absence from the
expedition, had given out that his leg was injured by a fall, and when
Lautrec reached that part the whole company screamed with delight.

"Again Lautrec! Let us have the verse again! Oh the poor cousin
Henri! What a terrible misfortune!" they cried.

As for me, I lay back in my chair, with the tears running down my
cheeks, and Lautrec, beginning the verse again, the others took it up,
roaring at the tops of their voices, a lament for my cousin's injury.

In the very midst of the confusion Henri himself opened the door, and
stood in amazement, staring at the mad scene. Lautrec spied him
immediately, and crying, "Ah, here is our dear cousin!" hobbled over to
him on one leg, nursing the other and singing with all his might.
D'Arcy, Raoul and the rest followed, and forming a ring danced round
him like a pack of madmen. I could not help laughing at their antics,
and, to my surprise, Henri, instead of being angry, joined heartily in
the fun.

"Ah," he cried presently, spying me, "there is the rogue who caused all
the mischief. I' faith, Albert, I did myself an ill turn in advising
you to come to Paris. Well, it is done with now, but I warn you not to
cross our path a second time."

He spoke in a jesting tone, and laughed loudly, but the look in his
eyes told more than his words, and I guessed that for all his play my
cousin would show me but scant mercy. Still, he was pleasant enough,
and I passed a very agreeable hour in his company.

Presently Raoul, who was on night duty at the Luxembourg, was obliged
to leave, and I, bidding my new acquaintances adieu, accompanied him.

"It is a pity you are not coming in," said he, half in jest, half in
earnest, as we stopped at the gates; "we could have such pleasant times
together."

"With young D'Arcy for a third!" I laughed. "No, no, Raoul; it looks
tempting, but it wouldn't answer. I am not much in love with Mazarin,
but France is safer with him than with your friends. Good-night.
There is Peleton coming this way, and Maubranne with him."

"And neither of them is your particular friend. Shall I see you
to-morrow evening if the truce lasts as long?"

"That depends on the Cardinal. If he doesn't require me I will be on
the Pont Neuf at six, but don't stay after that time," and I walked off
quickly, leaving Raoul to enter the courtyard of the palace a little
before Pel